About

This blog consists of my observations about the mid-century: its history, nightlife, classic dining, and architecture.

Born in Concord, Massachusetts and raised in Hawaii, I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and later attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. In 1999, I founded the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom) an architectural preservation group. I’m the author of “Havana Before Castro: When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground,” “Palm Springs Holiday: A Vintage Tour From Palm Springs to the Salton Sea,” “Classic Dining:Discovering America’s Finest Mid-Century Restaurants,” “Palm Springs Paradise: Vintage Photographs from America’s Desert Playground,” and “Greetings from Los Angeles.”

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17 Responses to About

I’m currently writing a book titled, “The Lives of Lowbrow Artists: Vol 1”. I’ve interviewed the following artists thus far:

Tim Biskup
Miles Thompson
Brandi Milne
Luke Cheuh
Derek Yaniger
Shag

The book’s title and format is akin to Giorgio Vassari’s “The Live of Artists” which is the foundation of everything we know about Renaissance artists.

Josh mentioned that you purchased his first painting “Tiki Bowl” back in 1995 at Cacao coffee shop. I would love to hear your side of the story. I could interview you over the phone and it wouldn’t take more than 30 min of your time.

Also you can visit my website to read the Derek Yaniger chapter (www.lowbrowliterati.com).

wow –
Well, you lived right behind Enchanted lakes Elementary …
And I think you were in boy scouts for a bit. Troup 179? I was in that for a few years.
And we spent tons of time reading all your Mad Magazines – and books –
you had them all.
I think we also attempted to sell greeting cards door to door.
And your dad had a mystery job – my guess it was like the main characters
in that TV show called “The Americans.”

My organization is very interested in reproducing one of the posters from your (truly beautiful) “Havana Before Castro” book on an invitation for our biennial fundraising gala. Could you let me know whether this is something you would agree to, and if so, what the next steps would be?

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your Havana Before Castro book. We will be hosting a 1950’s Havana themed dinner party in January, however, I’m having trouble tracking down what menu items were served at the the famous casinos and hotels during that time period. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you in advance for any input you might provide.

Yes, please! I have exhausted the internet looking for options. I’ve even tried viewing old menus from the Tropicana, etc. as auction items. All with no luck. We are part of a dinner club where each couple brings one of the courses assigned by the host and the host supplies the entree and cocktails. Each meal revolves around a particular theme.
It would most helpful if you would be able to offer suggestions for other courses as well.
Thank you so much!

Hi Peter,
the info@HavanaBeforeCastro.com-email won’t work, so let’s try here on the blog 🙂 I have a request about some issues from the book Havana before Castro. I want to built up a german website and want to know if it is possible to use some pictures of the book for this website. I would be very pleased if it is possible. I would be give you some more details in a private email if want. So far I wish you some nice days. Greetings from Berlin, Matthias

Hello Matthias! Thanks for finding me through my blog. Let me know what images you’re interested in from the book. By the way, I spent some days in Berlin in 1987 and found it to be a fascinating, exciting city.

I just read your delightful Classic Dining book (this instant) and discovered that you and your partner are in the same neighborhood as my partner and I, and I wonder if we’ve met before.
And if we haven’t, I think I’d like to.

My partner Tim Lawson lived in Hawaii also, and I’ve spent many formative times there myself.
The mid-century restaurant thing is a big fat passion of mine…in fact, one of my designs in toy form is suspended from the ceiling at the 21 Club at “my” table, which is actually also Bogie’s table…and I think he deserves the ownership a tad more than myself. But the staff likes me there, and that spot is a special home away from home for me.

In any case, if you have any interest in corresponding I’d be delighted. My name is Scott Chambliss, I’m a motion picture production designer, and I thought your book was big fun.

Scott – It’s amazing that we have so much in common! Is your neighborhood Silver Lake or Tahquitz River Estates in Palm Springs? I wrote the book especially for people like you who love classic restaurants and are concerned about them vanishing. I don’t know if you’ve been to the Dal Rae in Pico Rivera, but it remains my favorite in the Los Angeles region. Hey, if you wouldn’t mind writing a short review on my book’s amazon page I would be most appreciative. It would help me get the word out; just search amazon books under “Classic Dining.” Thanks for contacting me and let’s continue corresponding.

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COMING THIS SEPTEMBER!

GREETINGS FROM LAS VEGAS. More than 300 vintage photos and postcards tell the story of the fabulous desert oasis from its birth in 1905 through the swinging 60s and beyond. Experience early Fremont Street, Birth of the Strip, Glitter Gulch, the Rat Pack, Vegas After Dark, and so much more. $30 cover price